White House / President·Congress

GOP senators criticize lavish Xi welcome as White House posts official visit wrap

Published 5:00 PM CT, Friday, September 25, 2026 · Updated 5:08 PM CT
In the 5 PM CT update

Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., told Fox News he would have advised against inviting Chinese President Xi Jinping for "such a lavish welcome," citing "troubling issues" with Xi and the Chinese Communist Party; Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said rolling out the red carpet for "a despot from China" is "kind of not good," and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said Xi and other autocrats are "no friend." White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Trump was reciprocating Xi’s hospitality from a summer Beijing summit and would "forge relationships with anyone in order to advance our national interests." Separately, the White House released an official wrap Friday quoting Trump that the meeting was one of "Friendship, Strength, and Success" and that "I think our farmers are going to be very happy."